Trade Bonner

[Ocotillo]

Thoughts on Big Red:

Trading Bonner would be a fools errand at this time. timvp made an excellent point that just like Beno, Bonner's trade value at this time is low. As with stocks, one should buy low and sell high, we are the sellers in Mr. Bonner's case so we are not going to fetch much.

Second, some people whine that Bonner is overpaid. Others dispute that notion saying he does not hurt us capwise and his contract is not bad for a back up big. The argument is academic. He is overpaid in the sense that if he gets no playing time, he is not worth what he is being paid as we could have some stiff being paid the league minimum for practice fodder. On the other hand, veteran big men with some skills get way overpaid in this league so Bonner's contract is not out of line. Matt Bonner is not the reason the Spurs are over the cap so his salary is not a problem in that respect. The Spurs are not sliding into luxury tax either so his contract is not a problem in that respect either.

Third, this season may be better for Bonner. He is acclimated to the system and center is probably the weakest link in our starting line up. With other teams having big tandems such as Chandler/West, Bynum/Gasol, Odem/Aldridge, etc.... since we do not have a stellar starting center, we can use the depth. Translation, Matt Bonner can at least give us 6 fouls when we need it. With Horry likely gone, Bonner with the ability to shoot the three will likely get some playing time this season and if he plays passable defense, he will likely retain that playing time at the end of the season.

Bonner is Horry's replacement but he is not the the "next Robert Horry". He does not have the veteran savy and experience that Horry did but he has other skill sets that can be used. I like his hustle and grittiness and believe that has a role on this team.

Matt Bonner is a role player and while it would be swell to trade him for some all star on another team, that is not going to happen. At best, we would get another role player that would have to spend time learning our system.

I think that unless you get a call about a deal that is good for the Spurs and Bonner ends up being a throw in because of the size of this contract, you don't trade him. It would be unwise to actively shop him at this time due to his value being low. Five is a spot of concern going into this season with or without Kurt Thomas so I want the depth of Matt Bonner on the bench going into the next season.

[Mr. Body]

You actually need Bonner this year. He's not optimal, he's not very good, but you need guys to soak up minutes and try to score a little. It's too late to trade him, if you ever could.